Pneumatic transfer device



June 1959 J. J. MISKEL ET AL 2,890,913

PNEUMATIC TRANSFER DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 28, 1956 E M s CLU EMKBMMH N T w M m n V N N EA A N M R H RR H O EE J SH .m

United States Patent 2,890,913 PNEUMATIC TRANSFER DEVICE Iohn J. Miskel,Brooklyn, and Carl H. Abbe, Maspeth, N.Y., Serge Sarasin, Zurich,Switzerland, and Herman G. Thulke, Massapequa, N.Y., assignors to Chas.Pfizer &Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation 'of Delaware Originalapplication December 28, 1956, Serial No. 631,109, now Patent No.2,841,937, dated July 8, 1958. Divided and this application April 25,1958, Serial No. 730,979

6 Claims. (Cl. 302 -2) t This invention relates to a pneumatic devicefor transfern'ng articles from one stage of a processing apparatus toanother, and more particularly relates to such a device in which thearticles are discharged from the device in the same orientation inwhichthey are delivered to it.

A fully automatic machine for assembling disposable cartridges forhypodermic syringes is described in copending applicationSN. 631,109,filed December 28,

2,890,913 Patented June 16, 1959 .2 Fig. 1, the single figure ofdrawings, is a cross-sectional view in elevation of one embodiment ofthis invention. In Fig. 1 is shown a pneumatic transfer device 10including an ascending tube 12 having its mouth 14 positioned above anexit station of one. stage of a processing apparatus, for example,represented by apertured block or boss 16 in turntable 18. t

Articles 20,-for example filled and sealed vials :20, which areconverted into cartridge and needle assemblies (not shown) for use inhypodermic syringes, are rotated by turntable 18 to an exit stationrepresented by the position of recessed block or boss 16 where vials 20are positioned directly above an air discharge or nozzle means 22including, for example, plates 24 and 26 which are pierced by a nozzleor passageway 28 positioned directly below the apertures in bosses 16when they are disposed at the exit station "from turntable 18. Aconduit, for example, tube 30, is connected to direct a stream of airthrough passageway 28 for propelling articles 20 into the mouth 14 ofascending tube 12.

.Ascending tube 12 rises and inclines in a smooth curve towards anotherstage 32, for example turntable 32, of a processing appartus (not fullydescribed herein). In this second turntable 32, for example, needleassemblies (not shown) are applied to the upper end, f or ex-. ample, ofvials 20. Ascending tube 12 in joined, for

3 example, "by splicing to descending tube 34, for exjoined to thejsealed vials in the other of these turntables.

A simple means is required for conveniently transfer-ring articles fromone stage of such a processing device to the other, for example, fromone turntable to the other, without subjecting these articles to anyabnormal shocks. It is also highly advantageous to deliver thesearticles to the receiving turntable in the same upright orientation thatthey were delivered to the transfer device from the dischargingturntable because both processing stages operate upon the upper ends ofthe vials.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple means forconveniently transferring articles from one processing stage to anotherwithout subjecting the articles to abnormal shocks; and

Another object is to provide such a device which discharges the articlesin the same orientation that they are received.

In accordance with this invention, a novel transfer device includes anascending tube disposed over an entrance station and a descending tubewhich discharges to an exit station, spliced to the ascending tube atits zenith to form a unitary terminal tube. A stopper means seals theend of the terminal tube, and trap door means is disposed at thejunction of the ascending and decending tubes to permit the articlespassing through the device to pass from the ascending tube into thedescending tube after striking the stopper. Pneumatic means directs astream of air below an article positioned at the mouth of the ascendingtube to propel it through the device. An air inlet means may becircumferentially disposed adjacent the lower end of the descending tubefor directing a stream of air radially inwardly into the descending tubeto cushion the fall of articles dropping through it.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similarreference characters refer to similar parts and in which ample, at thezenith. or upper end of tube 34 to join with. it to form a unitaryterminal tube 36. Terminal tube .36 is closed by a stopper or bumper 38made ofa resilient material, for example, rubber. Terminal tube .36 isperforated by a number of holes 40 to promote an unimpeded flow ofpropelling air through ascending tube. 12 which facilitates thepropulsion of vials 20 through ascending, tube '12 and against stopper.or bumper 38.

A trap door means 42, for example, made of a leaf spring is attached tothe junction of tubes 12 and 34 for permitting vials 20 to pass fromtube 12 into terminal tube 36 and to prevent vials 20 from reenteringtube 12 after striking bumper 38. Vials 20 are thereby channelled intodescending tube 34, and the same vertical orientation of vials 20 in theascending and descending tubes is maintained. Vials 20 are accordinglydelivered to transfer device 10 and discharged from it with the sealedcap end 44 disposed uppermost which facilitates processing, for example,application of a needle assembly (not shown), while it is being carriedin turntable 32.

The junction between tubes 12 and 34 is, for example, formed within achannelled block 46 including smoothly contoured passageways. Block 46is, for example, formed of a transparent plastic, polyethylene forexample, to permit observation of articles passing therethrough. Anyobstructions in article fiow can accordingly be easily observed andcorrected.

An air inlet means 50 is, for example, circumferentially disposedadjacent lower end 52 of descending tube 34 for cushioning the fall ofarticles 20 dropping through it into the receiving station of turntable32, for example represented by apertured block or boss 54, in turntable32. Air inlet means 50 includes, for example, a number of orifices 56circumferentially disposed, for example, at an upward slant to provide arising cushion of air for braking the fall of vials 20. An annularchamber 58 surrounds orifices 56 to supply a flow of air thereto. Asupply means 60, for example, a compressed air line is connected tochamber 58 for providing a flow of air under pressure to orifices 56.Valve 62 is, for example, connected in line 60 to control the flow ofair to chamber 58 to provide a means for regulating the cushioningeffect of the rising air stream,

Operation When a vial 20 is positioned above passageway 28 in plate 26,a rising stream of air initiated, for example, by a control means (notshown) propels vial 20 through ascending tube 12 past resilient trapdoor 42 into terminal tube 36 and against bumper 38. The rising streamof air passes out through orifices 40 in terminal tube 36 leaving vial20 in terminal tube 36 free to fall into descending tube 34 under thechannelling influence of trap door 42.

As a vial 20 drops through tube 34, it gradually accelerates, but itsfall is partially checked or cushioned by the rising stream of airpassing upwardly through orifices 56 incorporated adjacent the lower end52'of' decending tube 34. Articles 20 are accordingly gently deliveredto receiving compartments 54 of turntable 32 with their lower endsgently striking plate 64 disposed below turntable 32. 7

Since the upper ends 44 of articles 20 are maintained above turntable32, they are in a convenient position for further processing, forexample, theapplication of needle assemblies (not shown).

If any obstructions, to flow should occur within junction block 46, theymay easily be detected through the transparent walls thereof, andrubberbumper or plug 38 is, for example, easily removable from the endof terminal tube 36 to permit any obstructions to be readily cleared.

' What'is claimed is:

1. A pneumatic device for transferring articles from an entrance stationto an exit station comprisingvan ascendingtube disposed over saidentrance station, a descending tube spliced to said ascending tube atits zenith to form aunitary terminal tube, said descending tube havingan end disposed adjacent said exit station, stopper means sealing theend of said terminal tube, trap door means disposed. at the junction ofsaid ascending'and descending tubes to permit said articles to pass fromsaid ascending tube into said descending tube after striking saidstopper means, said terminal tube being perforated to promote the flowof air together with said article through said ascending tube, saidperforations being disposed in positions permitting a flow of airthrough them at all times even when an article lieswithin said terminaltube to facilitate the passage of articles. into said terminal tube fromsaid ascending tube andautomatically from said terminal tube downthrough said descending tube, and pneumatic means for directing a streamof air under an article disposed at the entrance to said ascending tubeto propel said article through said device.

2. A device as set forth in claim l wherein said trap door is comprisedof a leaf spring attached to the junction of said ascending anddescending tubes.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein air inlet means iscircumferentially disposed adjacent the lower end of said descendingtube for directing a stream of air radially inwardly into saiddescending tube for cushioning the fall of articles droppingtherethrough.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said air inlet means isinclined upwardly. v 5. A device as set forth in claim, 4 wherein saidair inlet means includes a series of orificesciroumferentially disposedabout, said descending tube, and wherein an annular chamber surroundssaid descending tube and said orifices to provide an evenly distributedsupply of airto said orifices.

6. A device as set, forth in claim 1 wherein said stop per means isremovable fromsaid terminal tube. to falcilitatet the clearance, ofobstructions to flow from, said tubes 7 References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

